USA-Gold Sweden-Silver Russia-Bronze Canada- 4th

First off, congrats to the Americans for winning their third consecutive gold medal at the IIHF WJ U18 Championships. Although it took overtime for the victory, the Americans are deserving of the championship.

Canada however, wasn't so lucky in the bronze medal game against the Russians. Andrew D'Agostini got the start in goal over Malcolm Subban and Nail Yakpuov put on an offensive clinic against him.

However, Ryan Murphy put on a clinic of his own for Canada. After Nikita Kucherov opened the scoring at 11:36 with an unassisted goal, Murphy blasted a powerplay goal at 18:47 to even things up. Alan Quine assisted on Murphy's fourth of the tournament and that would end the first period.

At 3:07 of the second, Quine would score his first on the powerplay to put Canada up 2-1 on the powerplay with Mark Scheifele and Murphy drawing the assists. But the Yakupov show would take over with the Russians scoring 3 times in less than three minutes.

Yakupov got it started at 7:40 with the assist going to Roman Konkov. Yakupov would then set up Vladimir Tkachev at 8:24 to put the Russians ahead 3-2. Finally at 10:25 Yakupov would score short handed, his second of the game, from Tkachev to pull the Russians ahead by two. At 15:42 Kucherov would score his second from Mikhail Grigorenko and  Albert Yarullin to put the Russians up 5-2. Ryan Murray would score on the powerplay, his third, from Eric Locke to cut the lead to two before closing out the period.

Brett Ritchie would score his fourth at 18:20 to make it an interesting finish, Murphy drew the lone assist on the goal, his 13th point of the tournament which made him the highest scoring Canadian in the history of the tournament.

But it just wasn't enough as Yakupov would notch his third of the game from Kucherov to close out the scoring.

Murphy would be named the top defenseman in the tournament while Kucherov was named the top forward.

USA 5 Canada 4 OT

Team USA beat Team Canada 5-4 in overtime Saturday to set up a Sunday Bronze Medal game between Canada and Russia and a Gold Medal Game between the USA and Sweden.

Brett Ritchie would start things off for Canada at the 4:37 mark on the powerplay when he tipped in a Ryan Murphy shot from the point. Alan Quine would draw the other assist. J T Miller would tie it at one with his fourth after he blocked a shot just inside his own zone and sped up the ice and beat Malcolm Subban five hole.

The teams would head to the locker room tied at one. The Canadians had the shot advantage, 12-4 as well as 3 powerplays while the US had none.

It took 16:10 into the second to see that periods only goal when Reid Boucher scored his seventh to give the Americans a 2-1 lead. The Americans came out strong in the second outshooting Canada 21-13. The US also had 4 powerplays including a two man advantage for 1:35 but could not convert.

Zach Larazza would score his first at 6:43 of the third, a short handed goal to put the US up 3-1. Travis Boyd would draw the assist. Then, just 33 seconds later, Boucher would notch his second of the game from Miller to put the US up 4-1. It was another short handed goal and on the same penalty.

Canada would make an attempt at a comeback. Ritchie would score his second of the game at 9:15 on the powerplay from Quine and Nick Cousins. At 18:25, and with Subban on the bench for an extra attacker, Murphy would score his third from Murray on the powerplay.  Murray would then assist on Mark Scheifele's 6th goal with just 51 seconds remaining to even the score up at 4.

The US would outshoot Canada 14 - 12 in the period.

Overtime would last just 4:22 when Tyler Biggs scored his second to send the US to the Gold Medal game and a chance to win their third straight tournament.

The US also improved to 7-2 all-time vs Canada in this event.

Good Luck to the Americans in the Gold Medal game !!

Team Canada 5 Czech Republic 0

It was a chance to shine for 2012 draft eligible goaltender Malcolm Subban as he stopped all 26 shots he faced in leading Team Canada to victory over the Czech Republic in their opening match at the 2011 IIHF World U18 Champioships in Germany. Subban is the younger brother of Montreal Canadiens defenseman P K Subban.

Eric Locke got Canada on the board just 1:10 into the game when he converted on a set up from Ryan Murphy and Alan Quine. Just 2:34 later, Morgan Rielly would put Canada up 2-0 when he was set up by Quine and Mark McNeil.

At 14:28 of the opening period, Ryan Murray and Ryan Murphy would set up Mark Scheifele on the powerplay to put the Canadians up 3-0. You have to wonder what goes through opposition teams minds when the are on the penalty kill and two quarter backs are coming at you in Murray and Murphy.

Bruins fans have a saying when Tuukka Rask starts in goal for Team Canada : Two U's, Two K's = 2 points. Well, I figured we needed one for Murray and Murphy on the Team Canada powerplay, so I'll coin this phrase: Two R's, Two M's = Too Easy !

The teams skated to a scoreless second period. But in the third Locke and Daniel Catenacci would set up Scheifele for his second goal of the game to put Canada up 4-0.

At 14:33 of the period and on the powerplay Two R's, Two M's = Too easy were at it again. Murray set up Murphy to cap off the scoring and make the final 5-0.

After the game Coach Mike Williamson not only commended the two star defensemen on their offensive game but also their defensive game, specifically "negating chances and blocking shots".

The OHL's Matej Machovsky was in goal for the Czech Republic and he faced 29 shots.

14 OHL Players Named To Team Canada

There were 14 OHL players named to Team Canada for the Ivan Hlink Under 18 world championships in Germany set to go from April 14-24.

Here are your OHL players named to the 22 man squad

Goaltenders:
Andrew D’Agostini, Peterborough Petes
Malcolm Subban, Belleville Bulls

Defencemen:
Cody Ceci, Ottawa 67’s
Scott Harrington, London Knights
Slater Koekkoek, Peterborough Petes
Ryan Murphy, Kitchener Rangers

Forwards:
Austen Brassard, Belleville Bulls
Daniel Catenacci, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Nick Cousins, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Seth Griffith, London Knights
Eric Locke, Barrie Colts
Alan Quine, Peterborough Petes
Brett Ritchie, Sarnia Sting
Mark Scheifele, Barrie Colts

All but Cody Ceci, Slater Koekoek and Eric Locke, and goaltender Malcolm Subban are draft eligible in 2011.

OHL Draft Eligible Power Play Goals Leaders

OHL draft eligible power play goals leaders

Matt Puempel - 15
Ryan Murphy - 14
Mark Scheifele - 13
Alan Quine - 13
Brandon Saad - 12

Kingston Frontenacs and Plymouth Whalers players update

It was an exciting game this afternoon between these two clubs. Plymouth had a 5-1 lead until Kingston came back to tie it. Plymouth eventually won it in overtime making the comeback incomplete.

Kingston's Alan Quine finally got the monkey off his back today scoring not once, but twice. the former second overall pick in the Priority Draft started to show some confidence after his first goal setting up team mates over and over again. His deceptive shot got him the goals today. A beautiful wrister from the half boards for his first, and his ability to roof the puck in close to the net for his second.

Plymouth's Alex Aleardi Showed why he is all that is said of him. Good puck possession player that's willing to take it to the front of the net. I think he is underrated as a skater.  He's an excellent passer that finds his open teammates. If i have any knock against him it's that he doesn't use his passing abilities more often.

Plymouth's Stefan Noesen is everything that he's made out to be. He's gritty and plays hard rarely loosing a battle. A good skater with nice hands. He scored twice today and set up the overtime winner after battling hard and making the perfect pass for the winning goal.

Nick Malysa is an absolute monster defensively. He gets plenty of PK time and when the Whalers have to play defensive, he's usually the first one on the ice. He's actually a pretty good skater and is more than adept at moving the puck out of his own zone.

Alan Quine

Alan Quine, Kingston Frontenacs

Quine was selected 2nd overall in the 2009 Priority Draft. He came in very highly touted after recording 26 goals and 26 assists in 35 games for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens.




He plays with passion and determination and an ability to create chances in the dirty areas for himself and his team mates. He is an unselfish player, and is best described as a playmaker with a scoring touch. He’s an excellent, very smooth skater. He thinks the game well and is excellent in all 3 zones. He is ahead of his age in terms of development. 2010-11 season will be a breakout year where scouts will really take notice, especially as he continues to grow into his frame.



Quine recorded 11 goals and 17 assists in 64 games in his rookie season.